Panama’s unexpected move to abruptly cut ties with Taiwan June 13 is only the latest brick in the wall of Taiwan’s growing international isolation, as China continues to put the squeeze on Taiwan’s international space. Let’s talk about the causes and possible responses to this problem.

1. Do you think President Tsai Ing-wen and the Taiwanese government should:

-- Continue on its present course?-- Agree to accept the “1992 Consensus” but continue to strongly assert Taiwan’s sovereignty? -- Accept the “1992 Consensus” and also agree to future talks about eventual unification with China?-- Take a more aggressive approach to protecting Taiwan’s sovereignty and also take steps toward official independence?

2. Whom do you blame most for Taiwan’s growing international isolation?:

-- China, for throwing its weight around with international organizations and Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to try to keep Taiwan down.-- The KMT, for failing declare independence for Taiwan when China was too weak to resist and, in recent years, taking pro-unification positions.-- The DPP, for failing to accept the 1992 Consensus and making other provocative moves that alienate China.-- The USA, for appeasing China and not strongly fighting for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and events.

3. What effect is China’s attempts to restrict Taiwan’s international space having on the willingness of Taiwanese to accept closer integration with China?

-- No effect.-- It’s further destroying trust among most Taiwanese toward China.-- It makes more Taiwanese believe that it’s futile to resist China’s efforts to establish closer ties and that eventual unification is inevitable.

4. Should Taiwan try to keep the 20 diplomatic allies it has left from defecting to China?

-- Yes, they give the ROC much needed legitimacy on the international scene.-- Yes, but checkbook diplomacy is expensive, and Taiwan shouldn’t try to outspend China in sending financial aid to its remaining allies.-- No, all of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies are small and most have corrupt governments whose leaders pocket much of the aid Taiwan sends. And these governments offer little of value to Taiwan in return.

Last month, the Council of Grand Justices ruled that Taiwan’s marital laws violate the constitutional rights of same-sex couples who want to marry. Lawmakers have two years to adopt new legislation guaranteeing these rights. This is expected to make Taiwan the first Asian country in the world to permit gays and lesbians to marry. Let’s talk about your thoughts.

1. Do you agree there should be a law permitting same-sex couples to marry in Taiwan?:

-- Yes, same-sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples to marry and start a family.-- Yes, but there should be a separate law governing same-sex marriage because of different requirements for gay and lesbian couples as compared with heterosexual couples.-- No, but same same-sex couples should be able to enter into civil unions.-- No, gay and lesbian couples should not be allowed to marry in Taiwan because it would erode or even destroy the institution of marriage.

2. Do you believe that the Legislative Yuan should adopt a separate law governing same-sex marriage? What are the arguments for and against this?

3. Why do you think most Asian societies are behind other regions in supporting same-sex marriage, and why is Taiwan more progressive in this regard?

4. Do you believe that gays and lesbians are born with their sexual orientation or choose it later in life?

3. Why do you think most Asian societies are behind other regions in supporting same-sex marriage, and why is Taiwan more progressive in this regard?

Yeah, why?

-- Because they are losers and we are superior to them-- congratulations to Taiwan!-- Because we want to be different from China?-- Maybe we are just bored, having no better things to do?-- Uh..., our President?

Hey, don't hit me. I'm being protected by the First Amendment. What? It's not of our constitution?

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.

good topic! i really enjoy this kind of controversial issues haa~ of course i do have something to say, but still, it depends on if i can concrete my ideas in English. if not, guess being an audience will also have some fun haa~ hope i can make it lo~

by the way, what Plato said is just half true. some politicians are good. i'm no better. and it's said "you can't change the tide if the moon won't cooperate". by that i mean even sometimes we participate in, we might not be able to change it. we will still end up being governed by our inferiors if we are not lucky enough, and of course we are not most of the time..

i might be a cynic and, a sceptic as well but, i'm definitely not a bad person!!

Good points, Rock and Luis. In fact, I just wrote to someone about tonight's discussion. This person doesn't like politics and doesn't vote. I said: "Remember, there are many people in the USA who hate Donald Trump but who say they don't like politics, and so they couldn't be bothered to vote last November. Now we are stuck with Trump. Like it or not, in democracies, politics is the way we choose our leaders and decide policies that affect millions of people. Btw, Luis, your English is good, so please join the discussion.